A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

Have you ever wondered what it would be like

to have been there the day Jesus died on the

cross? What was the day like? Was it cold, or

hot, cloudy, or was the sun shining? I often

wonder about the people gathered to watch as

Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus to be scourged.

What did they think? Were they there just to

watch or did some want to try to help Jesus?

How about Mary, Jesus’s mother? How did she

feel watching her Son being beaten, spit on, and

crucified? Did she cry? Was she angry?

Thinking about things like this is called

meditation. When we put ourselves in a scene

we can see things as if we were there and it can

help us to move closer to Jesus. How? Well, we

can think about how the others that were there

might have felt or what they were thinking.

Take Veronica for instance, she saw Jesus

carrying that heavy wooden cross down the

street coming towards her. She saw His face

stained with dried blood and dirt. He could

barely see where He was going. He looked

exhausted and like He could barely go on. She

then saw the soldiers trying to keep the crowd

away from Jesus. Some were even hitting Jesus

to keep Him moving. I wonder if she was scared.

She must have felt so bad for Jesus that she

walked over to Him, took off her veil and wiped

His face. The love she felt for Jesus at that very

moment must have made her feel as though her

heart would burst. She tried to give Jesus a

drink and the soldiers stopped her. She must

have been scared at that point. Those soldiers

were mean. As she watched Jesus walk by, He

looked at her with gratitude for what she had

done and left her with the gift of His blessed face

on her veil. How she must have felt to discover

that! Surely, she felt excited, sad, and thankful,

all at the same time. How could she go back to

her life after that? Meditation is a perfect way

for us to pray about the Passion of Jesus. We

begin to understand more about Jesus and what

He did for us. Try it! Your Lenten journey will

take on a new meaning. Crystal

March 2013 Schedule

March 7, 2013 – Classes – 6:30pm – 8:00pm March 14, 2013 – Classes – 6:30 – 8:00pm March 21, 2013 – No Classes - Preparation for St. Joseph’s Table March 22, 2013 – Desolata – 7:00pm March 23rd and 24th 2013 – St. Joseph’s Table March 24, 2013 – Palm Sunday March 28, 2013 – Meet at 6:30 in the Church For Mass of the Last Supper March 29, 2013 – Good Friday – Mass at 7pm March 31, 2013 – Easter Sunday

Upcoming Events

Join us for the Desolata – This is one of the most

beautiful traditions here at OLMC. This night we

focus on Mary and how she felt about the death of her

Son and Lord. Sister Margaret Thomas O.P. will

speak on the meditations of our Lady. The music was

written by Father A.S. Domichino in 1933 only for

OLMC. We can see Jesus’ death through Mary’s eyes.

What a great way to pray!!!

DID YOU KNOW……..

The first session of Vatican II was held at St. Peter’s

Basilica in Rome on October 11, 1962. Around 2,450

attended the first session. Some bishops couldn’t

attend because they were to old or because they lived

in communist countries and were not allowed to

attend. Other Christian Churches were invited to send

observers who were free to attend the sessions but

could not speak or vote. The work of the council was

spread over four years and lasted until 1965.

Family Corner

The Stations of the Cross are a Lenten tradition and are prayed on Fridays during Lent;

although this can be done together as a family all year long. The stations are usually displayed in the Church and as we pray we move to each

station mediating on that station. Say the prayers slowly and put yourself in the scene.

Praying the stations can help us grow closer to Jesus.

For Pope Benedict XVI

O God, true shepherd of all the faithful, look with kindness on your servant Pope Benedict XVI, whom you set as head and shepherd of your Church. We give you thanks for your grace at work in him as he has led us by word and example: in his teaching, in his prayer, and in his great love. Grant him your strength in frailty, comfort in sorrow,

and serenity amid the trials of this world; and guide your Church, built on the rock of Peter, with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – Washington, DC

What an exciting time this is! Our beloved Pope Benedict XVI has moved on and the search has

begun for a new Pope to lead our Church. Cardinals from all over the world will gather in

Rome for a Conclave. (A conclave is Latin for “with a key” and is a gathering of Cardinals to elect a new Pope). Cardinals will meet in the

Sistine Chapel where the doors will be locked and the voting begins. Each cardinal will take his ballot and process up to the Altar beneath

Michangelo’s Last Judgment scene and place the ballot on a paten. (a small round dish). The votes are counted by three cardinals and checked for accuracy by three additional cardinals. Once the ballots are counted, if one person has 2/3 of the vote, then the ballots are mixed with a chemical that produces a white smoke and burned. If you see the white smoke, we have a new Pope! If the 2/3 vote is not there, the ballots are mixed with a

chemical that produces a black smoke and burned. If you see the black smoke, the cardinals have to vote again. The cardinals are not alone when they vote; the Holy Spirit is also there to help them decide. Go to www.ewtn.com in the

coming weeks to watch the results of the conclave in Rome and pray that the cardinals will

elect a new Pope quickly.

The Mass Explained The Liturgy of the Eucharist

(Praying for Others)

Jesus turned five loaves of bread and two fish into enough to feed five thousand.

What a miracle! The priest at Mass receives the gifts of bread and wine and they are brought down the aisle in the offertory procession. A great miracle will happen

with these gifts; they will become the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus.

Watch and listen very carefully, the Father is holy and is always kind and loving. He listens to you anytime day or night. Praise

Him and tell Him how great He is.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves – Mark 6:41